New program offers specialized mental health support for children and youth, close to home

MISSISSAUGA, ON, February 10, 2014 - Trillium Health Partners Foundation is pleased to announce a $1 million gift from the RBC Foundation to fund the RBC Paediatric Mental Health Urgent Care Program at Trillium Health Partners.

“We’re privileged to receive such generosity from the RBC Foundation. RBC is a philanthropic leader in the field of mental health and their work and support in helping to reduce the stigma and burden of mental illness is exemplary,” says Steve Hoscheit, president & CEO, Trillium Health Partners Foundation. “Their investment in our hospital to expand and enrich our mental health program will be of tremendous benefit for our region.”

Children and youth will benefit from a program that will provide dedicated consultant rooms and a core staff of paediatric mental health care experts accessible at Trillium Health Partners. These experts will provide the essential care needed in response to a growing volume of children and adolescents, currently underserved. The program will reduce non-emergency and paediatric mental health emergency admissions; create improved access for working families with children and reduce wait times, as a result of the Urgent Care Program.

The prevalence of mental illness among Canadian children and youth is estimated to be between 15 and 20 per cent, and recent projections suggest this will increase by 50 per cent by the year 2020.

“When the signs of mental illness are recognized early and appropriate interventions are made, children and youth can often go on to lead healthy, productive lives,” says Shari Austin, vice-president, Corporate Citizenship, RBC and executive director, RBC Foundation. “Through this donation, we are reinforcing our commitment to supporting better access to treatment for young people.”

“According to statistics, one in five children all in need of mental health services receive care, and our paediatric mental health Emergency Department visits have increased by almost 32 per cent in just three years,” says Dr. Rose Geist, Chief of Mental Health, Trillium Health Partners. “The key to this program is the incorporation of experts working collaboratively in paediatric mental health care – this forms the basis of an important service lacking in the region, and with it, the potential for future growth.”

Urgent Care is the most effective care – especially for youth, when they’re in crisis, as they are most sensitive and receptive to treatment. Families too are most responsive during a crisis. The Urgent Care Program diverts families in crisis from Emergency Departments, which are not always the most conducive environments for children and families in crisis.

About Trillium Health Partners Foundation
Trillium Health Partners Foundation was formed in July 2013 upon the successful amalgamation of Trillium Health Centre Foundation and The Credit Valley Hospital Foundation. Together as one foundation, Trillium Health Partners Foundation is dedicated to raising the critical funds needed to address the highest priority needs of Trillium Health Partners, one of the largest community-based acute care facilities in Canada. Trillium Health Partners is comprised of The Credit Valley Hospital, Mississauga Hospital and Queensway Health Centre.

About RBC’s Commitment to Community and Sustainability
Royal Bank of Canada (RY on TSX and NYSE) is Canada's largest bank and one of the largest banks in the world, based on market capitalization. We employ approximately 79,000 full- and part-time employees who serve more than 15 million personal, business, public sector and institutional clients through offices in Canada, the U.S. and 44 other countries. For more information, please visit rbc.com. RBC is recognized among the world’s financial, social and environmental leaders and is listed on the 2014 Dow Jones Sustainability World Index, the DJSI North American Index, the Jantzi Social Index and the FTSE4Good Index. RBC is one of Canada’s Greenest Employers, and one of Canada’s 50 Most Socially Responsible Corporations.

RBC supports a broad range of community initiatives through donations, sponsorships and employee volunteer activities. In 2013, we contributed more than $104 to causes worldwide, including donations and community investments of more than $69 million and $35 million in sponsorships. Learn more at www.rbc.com/community-sustainability.